Recently I was going through a time where I was really stressed. It seemed like everything was coming due at the same time and I had to work nonstop to even begin completing everything on my "to do" list. I was getting so frustrated and almost depressed because there was so much to do and so little time. All I really wanted to do was crawl under my covers and sleep, take a walk, read a book, watch a movie, anything other than those things I "had" to do. It was during this time that God started to speak to me about something I had often heard of, but had never truly followed . . . Sabbath.
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. ~ Genesis 2:3
God is the all-powerful creator of the universe. Do you think He really needed to take a break? I believe God used this as an example for us. We are not meant to work non-stop. We need breaks. Throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament, we see the importance of the Sabbath day. It was a time for the people of God to rest in His Presence without working. I love how Deitrich Bonhoeffer discussed the Sabbath. He wrote there is "no commandment to work, but there is a commandment to rest from work . . . God knows that the work we do can gain so much power over us we can no longer leave it alone . . . It is not work that supports us, but God alone . . . The Sabbath rest is the visible sign that human beings live by the grace of God and not by works . . . "
Perhaps you're like me, a workaholic. I can't seem to stop working. If there is something to be done I'll keep working until it's completed. The problem is there is always something to be done! As Bonhoeffer wrote, work had power over me and I could not leave it alone. It was at this time that God really began encouraging me to take a weekly Sabbath.
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." ~ Genesis 32:24-28
After [Jesus] had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone. ~ Matthew 14:23
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. ~ Mark 1:35
Do you notice a trend? In each instance, and there are plenty more, we see the person by themselves and the passing of time. In determining how God wanted me to spend my Sabbath He reminded me of two very important things.
First, Sabbath isn't simply not working, it is actively taking time to spend with the Lord. This is time that is set aside to spend with God. Often we hear Sabbath in regard to not working, but it is so much more than that. Yes, you aren't working, but that time is not replaced with just any leisure activity you choose. This time needs to be spent with God. In taking time to worship Your God He will refresh you and prepare you for the week to come.
Second, Sabbath isn't to be rushed. Not that I have already obtained this (Phil 3:13), but let me share what I've been doing as part of my observance of the Sabbath. I live fairly near a state park so on Saturday afternoon I take my Bible and go for a walk. I walk a pretty long distance, but here's the key – I don't wear a watch, my phone is on silent, I don't take people with me. I've gotten into calling these my God walks. It's a time where I can come before God without the distractions of my normal day. There are no time limits or deadlines set on me, no amount of Scripture that I have to read before I say it's done. No two walks are ever the same. Each time God has something new to speak to me about. And when I get away from the noise of my life and focus solely on Him it's amazing how much clearer His voice is, how the normal, everyday stresses seem so much smaller, and how He prepares me for the week by filling me anew with strength, courage, and peace. As with Jacob in Genesis 32, I have come to find that when we take time with God and give Him our focus He will speak to you and bless that time you have given Him. Never think of it as a waste of time that you could be doing other work. When you give to the Lord I firmly believe that He blesses your offering if it is given with a sincere heart. So many times I have taken time with God when I really didn't have it to give and suddenly my work went so much faster and I was much more efficient that I had been before.
It's not always easy, but I encourage you to pray about taking a Sabbath. Take some time to just spend with God. Get away from the distractions and listen to Him. We all need time of peace, quiet, and God.
Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath . . . ~ Exodus 16:29a
